39
PROCTOR | April 2017
Can you provide an overview on your general
experience as a QLS Senior Counsellor?
I have been surprised to learn how few of our
colleagues appreciate the valuable resources
the Society and its volunteers provide
through its programs, including the QLS
Senior Counsellor program. I am pleased to
say that it appears that the number of our
colleagues who are developing an interest in
their professional and ethical responsibilities
is growing. I believe the support QLS Senior
Counsellors offer is underutilised. So often
people I assist say to me that they wish they
had sought help sooner. I have benefited
greatly in assisting my colleagues, not only in
developing a greater technical understanding
of practice and ethical obligations, but simply
by being given the opportunity to help others.
If you could give one piece of advice
to a solicitor just starting their career,
what would it be?
Early in my career, I was well advised that
a good solicitor needed not only to be an
expert in their favourite area of practice
but be well grounded in costs, ethics and
professional practice obligations.
What do you like about your region?
I love the Sunshine Coast; its hinterland and
beaches are as beautiful as anything I have
seen anywhere in the world. Its people are
warm, receptive and care about each other.
Mark Bray
What motivated you to become
a QLS Senior Counsellor?
I have been a practitioner since 1979 and,
having had many experiences working in the
profession in that time, I thought I might be
able to bring a practical approach to advising
other practitioners who may be experiencing
a problem.
What is the best part about being
a QLS Senior Counsellor?
Being able to give another perspective on a
problem that a less experienced practitioner
may not be able to see.
What do you like to do during your time off?
Bike ride, swim and sing in a rock band.
What is your favourite area of practice?
Commercial property and leasing.
Can you provide an overview on your general
experience as a QLS Senior Counsellor?
It is rewarding particularly when a lawyer
who calls you is very grateful to receive some
practical advice from another practitioner,
knowing that the conversation is in total
confidence. In some cases, we have been in a
similar predicament to the one the practitioner
is calling about. It puts them at ease.
To learn more about QLS Senior Counsellors, see
qls.com.au > QLS Ethics Centre > QLS Senior
Counsellors. Contact details for QLS Senior Counsellors
are listed at the back of each edition of Proctor.
If you could give one piece of advice
to a solicitor just starting their career,
what would it be?
If you make a mistake on a matter, accept
it and take the appropriate action to attempt
to rectify it, and be upfront with your client
about it. If it is presented in the right way,
most clients accept that we are human
and are usually prepared to accept that
mistakes do happen. We are not supermen
and women.
What do you like about your region?
I live on 21⁄4 acres, eight kilometres from
my office and the same distance from some
of the best beaches and coffee shops in
the world.
QLS Senior Counsellors
BRISBANE SOUTHPORT MACKAY TOWNSVILLE
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